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Don’t know about you, but I’m really loving the fact that citizens and CEOs (in ever increasing numbers) in the U.S. are standing up to Donald Trump, calling him out, defying him and fighting back. And it doesn’t look like they have any plans to give up any time soon.

I see Facebook posts everyday, where phone numbers and email addresses for members of congress are given out, with requests to contact them, voice opinions, disagree with cabinet choices, policies and the direction the country is headed. And it’s happening — a lot and often.

And I’m thrilled that Howard Schultz (Starbucks) announced, in the wake of Trump’s travel ban, that they Continue reading →

“How do I know?” you ask. Well, last Thursday night I went out for dinner. Hadn’t been out all day so I assumed it was as hot as it’s been pretty much all summer. Wrong. When we got to the restaurant and were offered a table on the terrace we both decided it was way too cool.

Before you say anything let me cut you off: Yeah, I know one evening does not the end of summer make. But it was September 1 and we all know what that means.

The leaves will soon start changing colour, the days will get progressively cooler and shorter, pumpkin pie mix will Continue reading →

Since moving to Toronto in 1985, every house or apartment I’ve either rented or owned has had an office, or at least a dedicated space for writing. One that’s properly outfitted, with a desk, a comfortable chair, a filing cabinet, storage for books and supplies, good light, everything one would need.

I have never sat, or worked, in any of them.

When I got to the part, in the book I’m writing, where my mom died I couldn’t write at home. It took me about six Continue reading →

Fact is, I don’t have a signature beverage. Never did. I’m an equal opportunity drinker.

Although having said that, if I was going to have a signature drink it would be Lillet.

It’s a French aperitif and it’s delicious — at least I think so. It’s wonderful on the rocks, with a twist of lemon. I was introduced to it back in Montreal, at a French restaurant (Chez Georges) I used to frequent. It’s Continue reading →

I’ve always been a gizmo/gadget kinda gal. I’m not ashamed to admit I like them; and am always willing to make room for another one. I’m not necessarily thefirst in line to buy the ‘newest’ thingamabob on the market, but it’s pretty damn close.

So it’s been sort of surprising, to all who know me, that I’ve been so resistant to buying one of those one-cup coffee makers. You know the ones I mean. You fill the cylinder (or whatever it’s called) with water whenever it’s empty, insert one of those already-filled-with-pre-measured-coffee doodahs in the appropriate place and presto — a steaming, freshly-brewed cup of your favourite java in mere seconds.

It’s not like I don’t know they exist. All my friends have them. And years ago, when there was only one kind on the market — at least here in Canada — an early-adopter business partner of mine bought one and raved about it. Like me, she’s single and loved the fact she could have a cup of coffee without having to make a pot — the balance of which usually gets tossed down the sink. And there’s no muss, no fuss. No filters to throw away, no coffee grinds all over the sink, nothing to wash out when you’re done, except your cup.

She couldn’t convince me.

Neither could anyone else, even when they demonstrated and served me the most delicious little cup of espresso, Continue reading →

Life is funny. When we have to get up every day and go to work, when we’re tired and frustrated with our jobs or our co-workers or our bosses, all we can think of is the day we can finally put it all behind us. The day we can finally retire. And then, once we are retired we often wish we were still working. Still had somewhere to go every day. Still had lots of people around us. Still had a purpose.

Why am I bringing this up? No, I’m not retired. I don’t go to an office every day, but I still work. As a freelance writer and strategic consultant, so this isn’t a story about my personal experience.

Today’s WordPress Daily Prompt is the trigger: “The next time you’re in a public place — a coffeehouse, a park, a store — observe the people around you. Pick a person, a couple, or a group, and imagine what their lives might be like.”

Well, wouldn’t you know I’m here, at my neighbourhood Starbucks. My cleaning lady’s at my house today and if I don’t get out of there when she’s around, she gives me chores. So I’m hiding out. So of course I have to look around and see who’s here, don’t I? Continue reading →

When I went to bed on Thursday night nothing felt different. Same thing when I woke up yesterday morning. I was meeting a former colleague for coffee, and my cleaning lady was coming, so I quickly packed up my computer and left for Starbucks.

Nothing unusual.

What was unusual, though, was how quiet it was in there. At Starbucks.

It’s always crazy busy. There was no line up of people waiting to order their coffee. No crowd waiting for their lattes and cappuccinos and breakfast sandwiches and bagels to be made. You could have your pick of seats. In fact, there were only a couple of people in there.

Surprised, I checked my watch. It was 9:15. I’ve been in there much earlier and it’s been a struggle to find Continue reading →

I escaped to Starbucks Saturday morning, in an effort to get out of my cleaning lady’s way. Well, in an effort to avoid the chores she’d have given me, if I’d stayed home. I had some writing to do, so staying home wasn’t an option anyway. I’d never have been able to concentrate with all the tumult and the noise from the vacuum.

When I first arrived it was very quiet. There were only about five or six other people. Shocking, really. It’s always packed in there. Not that I was complaining, mind you.

Got a yoghurt and a coffee and snagged a seat at the harvest table, which is my preference. More room to spread out. Didn’t take long before I was totally engrossed in what I was doing. Oblivious to anything going on around me. Unaware of anyone coming or going. Didn’t even have a clue what time it was.

Suddenly there was a blood curdling scream directly behind me. And I do mean blood curdling. High pitched Continue reading →

What a great morning I had yesterday. Despite the monsoon. Yet another monsoon. We sure have had bizarre weather this week. Major downpours, hailstorms, snow, strong winds. All at the same time. Day after day. Pretty damn disgusting!

Will this winter EVER end?

But I’m not here to give you a weather report.

Yesterday, I met up with a gal I worked with a million years ago. In another life time. For both of us. And if she hadn’t seen my blog posted on Facebook; and, dare I say, liked it enough to become a regular reader, it probably wouldn’t have happened.

From the first time we met, we instantly hit it off. I was at Ogilvy and she was interviewing for a job. We had a Continue reading →